SOHR Says Pro-Turkey Factions Attack Government, Kurdish Forces

This is Beirut 01/12 18:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Antony Blinken Turkey US Secretary of State USA

A Syria war monitor said pro-Turkey factions in the north killed government forces and attacked Kurdish fighters in Aleppo province Sunday, as a separate rebel alliance waged an offensive nearby. Turkish forces and their proxies have controlled swathes of territory in northern Syria since Ankara in 2016 began successive ground operations to expel ...

GCC Summit in Kuwait Urges 'Immediate Ceasefire' in Gaza

This is Beirut 01/12 18:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gulf Cooperation Council Kuwait Gaza Israel Palestine

A summit of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Sunday, following calls for a truce by host Kuwait after nearly 14 months of war in the Palestinian territory. In the final statement of the summit, the six-member body called for an "immediate and permanent cessation of Israeli fire and military ...

Palestinians Say Israeli Military Kills Two in West Bank

This is Beirut 01/12 17:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine West Bank

The Palestinian health ministry said the Israeli army killed two people in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, after Israel's military announced a strike in the area of Jenin. The ministry said in a statement two people were killed "due to the occupation's aggression on the village of Siir in the Jenin district", referring to Israel. Hours ...

White House Says 'not there yet' on Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Deal

This is Beirut 01/12 16:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United States Ceasefire Gaza Palestine Israel

The White House is working on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza but is "not there yet," the US National Security Advisor told NBC on Sunday, with fighting in the conflict raging on as Arab leaders meet in Cairo to discuss the crisis. "We are working actively to try to make it happen. We are engaged deeply with the key players in the ...

Houthis Say they Targeted Israel with Missile

This is Beirut 01/12 16:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Yemen Israel Red Sea Houthis

The Houthis said they fired a missile at central Israel on Sunday, as Israeli forces announced they had intercepted a "projectile". The Iran-backed rebels "carried out a targeting operation against a vital target" in the Tel Aviv area using a "hypersonic missile", a Houthi statement said. An Israeli armed forces ...

Iranian FM Vows Full Support to Syria in Meeting With Assad

This is Beirut 01/12 16:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Damascus Hezbollah Israel UN Security Council United Nations USA

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Damascus on Sunday to deliver a message of support to Syria's government and armed forces, days after rebels launched a swift offensive capturing Aleppo, the coutry’s second largest city, and other localities.  Araghchi is said to have assured Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ...

UNRWA Halts Aid Deliveries on Key Route Due to Security Concerns

This is Beirut 01/12 13:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Palestine United Nations USA

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has halted the delivery of aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza because of security concerns, its chief said Sunday. "We are pausing the delivery of aid through Kerem Shalom, the main crossing point for humanitarian aid into Gaza. The road out of this crossing has not been safe ...

US, Russia, Iran, and Turkey Address Escalation in Syria

This is Beirut 01/12 10:04 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Turkey Syria Russia Iran

The United States on Saturday said Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad lost control of Aleppo because of his reliance on Russia and Iran. Syria's "reliance on Russia and Iran," along with its refusal to move forward with a 2015 peace process outlined by the UN Security Council, "created the conditions now unfolding," National ...

Rebels Seize Most of Aleppo, Advance on Hama in Surprise Assault

Vanessa Kallas 30/11 21:04 - Reading : less than a minute

Syrian opposition forces captured the majority of Aleppo on Saturday and advanced on Hama, marking the first major assault on the city since 2016.

Macron’s Future Visit to Riyadh: Strengthening Strategic Ties With KSA

This is Beirut 30/11 20:23 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron Middle East Saudi Arabia France

French President Emmanuel Macron, leveraging his role in the Lebanon ceasefire, hopes to bring Saudi Arabia back into play in Beirut and strengthen France's influence in the Middle East during a state visit to Riyadh starting Monday. The head of state, who will spend three days in Saudi Arabia, also aims to project a "new ambition" in relations ...

Is the Ceasefire Owed to the Miraculous Medal?

Fady Noun 30/11 18:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Ceasefire Hezbollah Israel Virgin Mary

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on November 27, coinciding with the Latin Church’s feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. For many, this timing is seen as a divine gift, strengthening their faith that the end of hostilities was heaven-sent. The Chapel of the Miraculous Medal on Rue du Bac in Paris holds a deep ...

Gaza: Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli Hostage

This is Beirut 30/11 17:40 - Reading : less than a minute

Hamas Israel USA hostage

Hamas has released a propaganda video featuring Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old hostage,the first such video in several months. The three-and-a-half-minute video is undated, but Alexander states he has been in captivity for over 420 days, suggesting the footage was filmed this week if accurate. Alexander, a US citizen and soldier, was stationed ...